Strategy Corner

[Wesbat]

#11981

Hello DGC peeps.

I find Civilization has a lot of depth due to the extensive technology tree, and more importantly, the game has a lot of breadth due to its diplomacy aspect. It’s totally feasible to win a game without pushing an aggressor-like agenda of world domination.

I love Civ because it’s the one game I can take the peaceful path. Today I won my first game without declaring a single war — barring defending my own cities from other civs — by winning the space race. It was very exciting!

I am so playing this strategy again. I did get lucky to get an island to myself from the start. Sharing with a belligerent civ will cause quite a few problems, and incur some wars to claim the land. I’m looking forward to figuring out those kind of problems.

Do you have a particular strategy that works for you? Do you prefer the peaceful approach or a military agenda? Or perhaps a mixture of both at different times?

I’d love to hear how you play, what does or doesn’t work for you, maybe even learn some new strategies from each other.

[Martli]

#12001

I’m keen to get some tips on starting out, what to focus on etc. build order etc. I’ve been using this guide here and it’s been pretty helpful : https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/564621-sid-meiers-civilization/faqs/1847

I also checked out our great friend Marco play here: https://youtu.be/b-Y68tUDzTw?si=C-pL-eL0t5bkUjER

I definitely tend to the more militaristic end of the spectrum for civ games and get a bit bored if I concentrate too much on economics/science/culture… good thing I’m not a politician in real life.

[Wesbat]

#12003

Hello @Martli, that is indeed a good guide. Some random tips off the top of my head, use them as you like 🙂

* Try a Communist government for military campaigns. City production is at full, while allowing an expansive empire because “corruption is kept to a minimum by the action of the local party apparatus.” (manual p44)

* Build and sell unwanted buildings to bolster your treasury. Money is always useful.

* Having a hard time taking an enemy city? Send in a diplomat and incite a revolt. It will cost, but that’s what your treasury is for. It can be well worth it, especially for strategically placed cities.

* Movement on railroads is *free*, that is huge. Move any military unit from city to front-line in *one* turn.

[Martli]

#12009

Thanks Wesbat – those are some good tips. I honestly find the railroad thing INSANE, especially compared to the later games, but it’s great if you put the investment into lots of rail (which is totally worth it).

I just won my first game after a few goes experimenting with different starting approaches. What worked for me was building a defensive unit for my first city, then a scouting unit (militia) to explore, and then spamming settlers to focus on building cities rather than growing them (plus keeping costs down by not having to pay building maintenance). I also made sure to build roads as I moved my settlers to the new city site to prioritise movement between cities (and later, railroads), and made a quick dash for Monarchy as early as I could. By not building too many buildings I was able to keep my tax rate basically zero for a long time (but playing on easy so might not be possible on a real difficulty level). A bit different to how I’d approach one of the later games.

I personally find the start of a civ game the most exciting.

[Wesbat]

#12012

That sounds like a great strategy @Martli, glad to hear you won a game, that is an exciting moment 🙂

Research costs double after 0AD, get as many advances before that date – your strategy to delay taxation works very well in this regard.

My current game I left research quite late, so I’m trying to find creative ways to tweak my science output to maximum just to get to the space ship. I’ve resorted to making two scientists in each city, no tax – and have to build & sell buildings to keep up with the maintenance costs. Not ideal but a good learning moment 🙂

Edit: another useful tip, if you’re under pressure to build a wonder quickly, send caravans from the other cities, they will help complete the wonder.